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Robert Quinn

Free Agent DE Robert Quinn Arrested

August 18th, 2023 at 7:21pm CST by Ely Allen

One season removed from an 18.5-sack performance on the Bears, veteran pass rusher Robert Quinn may struggle to find his way to a new team for the 2023 NFL season. According to Blair Sabol and Kevin Bilodeau of WCSC5 in Charleston, Quinn was arrested Tuesday night and is facing multiple charges stemming from a hit-and-run incident that took place that evening.

This isn’t Quinn’s first run in with the law. Back in 2012, Quinn was behind the wheel during a single-car crash in Missouri that led to him being charged with Driving While Intoxicated and driving without insurance. He ended up pleading guilty to reduced charges of Failure to Exercise a High Degree of Care a month later and paid a nominal $277 fine.

Technically not a legal incident, Quinn also was disassociated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010 after lying about receiving travel accommodations and jewelry as an amateur in college, leading to his ineligibility to play for the NCAA and an eventual early declaration that he would go to the NFL. Despite sitting out his entire junior season due to the incident, Quinn still ended up getting drafted in the first half of the first round in 2011 by the Rams. He also received a two-game suspension in 2019 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug policy.

This most recent incident was reported by neighbors of a South Carolina community who reported that they saw Quinn hit four cars, a gate, and a light post. Afterwards, he reportedly left his vehicle and attempted to bribe one of the vehicles’ owners with offers of beer and new cars on his own dime. That conversation reportedly detiorated into an altercation during which Quinn allegedly slapped the woman twice.

Quinn is being charged with a hit and run with someone in the vehicle, four hit-and-runs that were unintended, striking a highway feature, and 3rd degree assault and battery. The responding officer on the scene reportedly found an opened container of alcohol in the vehicle, but it doesn’t appear that any alcohol-related charges were applied. He was granted bonds in the amount of just over $7K.

Quinn’s playing career has been a rollercoaster ride of late. After ending his time with the Rams and being traded to Miami, Quinn was riding a four-year streak of failing to amass a double-digit sack total. A strong 11.5-sack season in Dallas, after being traded from the Dolphins, led to a strong five-year, $70MM contract with the Bears in 2020. After a disappointing two-sack debut season in Chicago, Quinn recorded his second-highest career sack total the following year.

Midway through the third year of his new contract, the Bears traded Quinn once again, this time sending him to the Eagles. Upon arriving in Philadelphia, the Eagles voided the final two years of his contract on a mutual decision that would send Quinn to free agency at the end of the season. He was placed on injured reserve late in the year before receiving arthroscopic knee surgery. He returned in time for the playoffs, though, contributing minimally to the team’s Super Bowl run. He ended the year with one sack between his time in Chicago and Philadelphia.

Quinn’s ability to push 20.0 sacks into his thirties might have been enough for some contender to overlook as they attempt to bring in pass rushing help just before the regular season. With more legal issues to deal with now, there’s a chance the NFL may be without Quinn in a season for the first time since 2010.

Checking In On Edge Rusher Market

May 11th, 2023 at 1:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

The late-spring signing period that transpires every year — due to the compensatory formula deadline passing — has produced a number of deals. Rock Ya-Sin, Foster Moreau, Randall Cobb, Donovan Smith and a few quarterbacks (John Wolford, Trevor Siemian, Brandon Allen) agreed to terms over the past week and change.

This year’s deadline, however, has not led to a thaw in the edge defender market, which is free agency’s deepest at this point. A number of accomplished veterans — some still in or close to their prime — remain unsigned. Teams often use OTAs, minicamp and training camp to determine where roster flaws are, leading to summer veteran additions. As of last week, no such moves affect teams’ 2024 compensatory picks. Some clubs will also pick up some cap space after June 1, when they will see the money saved from previous cut designations emerge.

A few longtime starters figure to receive another chance before teams configure their final depth charts. Ahead of OTAs, here are the top options available:

Frank Clark. Age in Week 1: 30

The Chiefs cut Clark in March, separating from their most prominent edge player of the Patrick Mahomes era. While Clark did not live up to the five-year, $104MM pact he signed upon being acquired from the Seahawks in 2019 and ultimately took a pay cut to return in 2022, he did continue producing in the playoffs. Clark’s 2.5 sacks during this past postseason give him 13.5 for his career. In the official sack era (1982-present), that total ranks third. Of course, the ex-Seattle second-rounder was arrested twice in 2021 and never eclipsed eight sacks during a Chiefs regular season. He remains a starter-caliber player.

Jadeveon Clowney. Age in Week 1: 30

Perennially unable to secure a long-term deal, the former No. 1 overall pick will likely end his NFL career without landing one. Injury trouble has plagued Clowney, who missed eight games during his two-year Browns tenure. Since the Texans traded Clowney to the Seahawks in August 2019, he has taken his time before reaching a free agency accord. Clowney signed with the Titans in September 2020, inked his first Browns deal in April 2021 and re-signed in May of last year. Clashes with Cleveland’s coaching staff will lead him elsewhere. Clowney only totaled two sacks and 12 QB pressures last season, though he collected nine sacks opposite Myles Garrett in 2021.

Leonard Floyd. Age in Week 1: 31

With the Rams moving on from their four-year, $64MM agreement in March, two teams have now cut Floyd in his career. The Bears picked up his fifth-year option but, back when teams were allowed to do this, ditched it free of charge a year later back in 2020. Floyd has both displayed durability and production since that Chicago separation, showing a new gear in Los Angeles. Teaming with Aaron Donald and Von Miller certainly boosted Floyd’s chances of drawing a favorable matchup, but he kept going after Donald’s shutdown last season. Four of Floyd’s 9.5 sacks came during the six games Donald missed. Floyd’s 31 QB pressures ranked 17th last season.

Markus Golden. Age in Week 1: 32

Coming off the worst season in this contingent, Golden is two years removed from an 11-sack campaign. The former second-round pick agreed to a one-year extension that covered the 2023 season, but the Cardinals’ new regime ditched that contract in March. Golden has three double-digit sack seasons on his resume, though they have come in nonconsecutive years. An early-career ACL tear threw the Mizzou alum off track, but Golden has missed just one game over the past four seasons.

Yannick Ngakoue. Age in Week 1: 28

The second-ranked edge defender in PFR’s free agent rankings back in March (behind only Marcus Davenport), Ngakoue has consistently produced sack numbers while generating a reputation as a hired gun and run-game liability. He did not come close to reaching the May compensatory deadline in the past, however, being franchise-tagged in 2020 and signed to a two-year, $26MM Raiders deal in March 2021. The Colts took on that contract last year, via a straight-up trade for Ya-Sin, and Ngakoue reeled off a 9.5-sack season. The former Jaguars third-round pick is the only player to post at least eight sacks in each of the past seven seasons.

Dawuane Smoot. Age in Week 1: 28

One of the bright spots of the Jaguars’ Urban Meyer year, Smoot finished the 2021 season with 30 pressures. The former third-round pick accumulated 22.5 sacks from 2019-22, finishing that stretch on a two-year deal worth $10MM. He likely would have a third contract in place — either from the Jaguars or another team earlier in free agency — had a December ACL tear not occurred. The Jags did not re-sign Arden Key or use a first- or second-day pick on an edge rusher. While that potentially keeps the door open to Smoot returning when cleared (or on the homestretch toward clearance), he remains an intriguing complementary option for teams.

Kyle Van Noy. Age in Week 1: 32

Although Van Noy has operated as a hybrid of sorts, his sack consistency qualifies him for such a list. Van Noy’s one-year Chargers deal ended up requiring considerable edge work, with Joey Bosa lost for much of the season. As he had done for years in New England, Van Noy made an impact in a pass-rushing capacity. He finished with five sacks, marking the fifth time in the past six seasons he has reached that number. Van Noy’s age and versatility make him one of the better options left. After signing with the Chargers in May of last year, Van Noy expressed interest in staying on another accord.

Mid-30s wing

Carlos Dunlap. Age in Week 1: 34

The Chiefs waited until July to add Dunlap last year, bringing in the longtime Bengals sack artist — on a one-year, $3MM pact — to replace Melvin Ingram as a Clark complement. Kansas City has since added younger UFA Charles Omenihu and used first-round picks on edges (George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah) in each of the past two years. The Bengals’ all-time sack leader, Dunlap finished with four last season after amassing 8.5 with the Seahawks in 2021. The Chiefs used the 13-year veteran on 39 defensive plays in Super Bowl LVII.

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Eagles Activate S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, DE Robert Quinn From IR

January 7th, 2023 at 4:06pm CST by Ely Allen

Philadelphia is getting some help on defense as it looks to secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed heading into the postseason, according to the team’s official Twitter account. The Eagles have activated safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and defensive end Robert Quinn from injured reserve today. To make room on the 53-man roster, Philadelphia placed linebacker Shaun Bradley and defensive end Janarius Robinson on IR. Lastly, the team signed punter Brett Kern to the active roster from the practice squad.

Gardner-Johnson will return in time for the playoffs after a lacerated kidney sidelined him for the past five games. The unusual injury put a pause on a career year for the fourth-year safety. After being traded from New Orleans just prior to the start of the regular season, Gardner-Johnson started every game for the Eagles alongside Marcus Epps before getting placed on IR following the Week 12 injury. At the time of his placement on IR, Gardner-Johnson led the NFL in interceptions with six through 11 games. His presence in the defensive backfield will provide a big boost for a team who has had their sights set on the postseason all year.

The Eagles pass rush has been just fine without Quinn but that’s not to say it won’t benefit from a reunion. Philadelphia leads the league in sack total, and frankly, it’s not very close. Quinn had yet to add to the team’s sack total before finding himself on IR, but it’s hard to imagine that defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon isn’t excited about the aspect of adding a pass rusher who was pushing for a season total of 20 sacks as recently as last year.

Bradley and Robinson being moved to IR is a small price to pay for the return of Gardner-Johnson and Quinn. Bradley is a core special teamer who has yet to appear on defense this season for the NFC’s current top seed. Robinson was signed off the Vikings’ practice squad early in the year but has yet to appear in a game this season.

Kern has served as the team’s punter for the last three weeks as Arryn Siposs has been on IR. The long-time Titan has been serviceable on special teams for Philadelphia, showing that he can be depended on for the postseason.

Eagles Designate C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Robert Quinn For Return

January 4th, 2023 at 12:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

After back-to-back losses that have kept them from locking up the NFC’s No. 1 seed, the Eagles will have some reinforcements in Week 18. Both C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Robert Quinn may be back in uniform.

The Eagles designated the veteran defenders for return Wednesday, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Both will be eligible to suit up against the Giants, should the Eagles activate them ahead of the Saturday deadline.

A lacerated kidney sidelined Gardner-Johnson back in November. Despite going down in Week 12, the late-summer trade acquisition remains tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions. The Eagles have options with Gardner-Johnson upon return.

Having used the former Saint as a safety before his injury, the Eagles could deploy Gardner-Johnson in the slot. Avonte Maddox suffered a significant toe injury in Week 16. Considering Gardner-Johnson worked as New Orleans’ top slot corner for multiple seasons, Philadelphia has a quality backup plan. This will be a key stretch for Gardner-Johnson, but he has already proven to be a fit with his new team. The fourth-year DB’s rookie contract expires after this season.

Philly’s pass rush has hummed along without Quinn, but the midseason trade piece can provide some rotational assistance for the league’s sack leaders. Quinn, 32, has not missed quite as much time as Gardner-Johnson, undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery in early December. The Eagles had the thrice-traded edge rusher ticketed for a late-season return, and it looks like Quinn is close to being ready to go.

The Eagles have registered 68 sacks this season — 39 more than they totaled in 2021. That number is close to a long-held NFL record. In the season prior to the Bears’ 18-1 rampage to Super Bowl XX, their 46 defense compiled 72 sacks. Although the Eagles have the benefit of an extra game, they have a chance to eclipse that 38-year-old mark against the Giants. Four Eagles — Haason Reddick, Javon Hargrave, Josh Sweat and Brandon Graham — have surpassed the 10-sack threshold. Quinn does not yet have a sack as an Eagle and has just one this season, but the situational rusher did flash pass-rushing potency last year by tallying a career-high 18.5 sacks. That number also broke a 1984 Bears standard, with Richard Dent having held it. As the playoffs near, the Eagles will hope some of Quinn’s 2021 form remains.

Three IR activations remain for the Eagles, but Gardner-Johnson and Quinn represent the 13-3 team’s top two return chips. While it is unknown when Maddox will play again this season, the fifth-year cornerback is not on IR. That gives the Eagles some flexibility as they aim for their second No. 1 seed in six seasons.

Eagles To Place Robert Quinn On IR

December 6th, 2022 at 1:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles’ veteran-flooded defensive line will be without Robert Quinn for an extended stretch. Quinn is set to undergo arthroscopic surgery and land on IR, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets.

A knee injury in practice last week will lead to this shutdown. Quinn hitting IR now would knock him out until at least Week 18. The Eagles are not ruling him out for the rest of the season, with Pelissero adding the team is optimistic the midseason trade acquisition can return. Quinn appeared on the Eagles’ injury report late last week and did not play against the Titans in Week 13.

Philadelphia sent Chicago a fourth-round pick for Quinn and has used the 12th-year veteran as a rotational option. Quinn, 32, has not cleared the 30% snap rate on defense as an Eagle, settling in as a rotational rusher after being more of a full-time player with the Bears during the season’s first half. But this injury will still affect Philly’s edge-rushing capabilities.

Quinn does not yet have a sack as an Eagle and has totaled two quarterback hits. The Eagles are still fairly well stocked up front, rostering Haason Reddick, Brandon Graham and Josh Sweat. The team also added Ndamukong Suh as an interior rush presence, flanking an inside group that already houses Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave.

Bouncing around the league since his Rams days, Quinn has been one of the more durable pass rushers during that span. He has not missed more than two games in a season since 2016. Only the 2015 and ’16 seasons have seen the thrice-traded edge player chart more than two absences, but he will be down for at least four games because of this surgery. With the Eagles pushing for their first playoff bye since 2017, Quinn could have extensive time to recover. The divisional round does not begin until the fourth weekend of January.

Bears GM Ryan Poles Discusses Roquan Smith Trade

November 1st, 2022 at 9:12pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bears made another significant move yesterday, trading star linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens. At only 25-years-old and with a pair of All-Pro nods on his resume, Smith didn’t necessarily have to be a casualty of Chicago’s pseudo-rebuild. However, GM Ryan Poles made it clear that Smith’s contract demands meant he probably wasn’t going to be sticking around Chicago long-term.

[RELATED: Ravens To Acquire Roquan Smith From Bears]

“There’s part of me that’s bummed because this was a guy that I thought was going to be here for a long time,” Poles said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin). “I felt like we put a lot of effort forward to get that done, and we came up short. We couldn’t find common ground. And that’s just a part of this business, which I think we all understand.”

According to Poles, the Bears presented Smith with their final extension offer before the season. While the organization held out hope that the linebacker would reconsider, it became increasingly clear that the Bears would struggle to meet Smith’s asking price if they continued to negotiate this upcoming offseason. So, instead of seeing how things unfolded following the 2022 campaign, the team decided to be proactive and trade the linebacker now.

“The reality of it is that you have to ask yourself a question: Are we ever going to find that middle ground? And from our previous conversations, you gather that information and it felt like it was highly unlikely,” Poles said. “So then are you able to then take the opportunity to enhance your roster now? Or are you OK with the chance that he walks away and we can’t use some of that to enhance our roster. And that’s what it came down to, and I felt like we had to move forward at that time.”

As our own Sam Robinson noted yesterday, the Bears would have been hard pressed to retain Smith via the franchise tag since the player would have been attached to an edge rusher-level value. Chicago could have also played out Smith’s contract year and counted on the compensatory formula, but the two-pick return from Baltimore obviously trumps that value.

Today’s move saw Chicago add a second- and fifth-round pick, with A.J. Klein added to the deal as a throw-in. The trade came days after the Bears dealt veteran defender Robert Quinn to the Eagles.

Eagles, Robert Quinn Agree To Remove Two Years From DE’s Deal

October 28th, 2022 at 10:31am CST by Sam Robinson

The Bears are picking up most of Robert Quinn‘s 2022 salary, agreeing to pay $7.1MM and leaving the Eagles responsible for less than $700K. Although Quinn’s Chicago contract ran through 2024, he and his new team agreed to change that.

Quinn and the Eagles agreed to trim both future years off the deal, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter). Quinn is now ticketed for free agency in 2023. Both of Quinn’s final two seasons on this contract — a five-year, $70MM accord agreed to in 2020 — were nonguaranteed.

Previously, Quinn’s deal carried base salaries of $13.9MM in 2023 and $12.9MM in 2024. Instead, this shifts to a contract year for the now-thrice-traded pass rusher. Quinn, 32, has only been a free agent once — in 2020 — and he used that opportunity to land $30MM guaranteed from the Bears. The former Rams first-rounder has sandwiched two shaky seasons with a monster 2021 campaign, one that undoubtedly enticed the Eagles to send the Bears a fourth-round pick. Quinn registered just two sacks in 2020 and has just one through seven Chicago games this season. He set a Bears single-season record with 18.5 last season.

This restructure follows a similar one in Cleveland. The Browns acquired Deion Jones‘ through-2023 contract from the Falcons earlier this month, but the parties agreed to lop off the 2023 season from the deal. Like Quinn, Jones is no longer under contract beyond this season. These arrangements will raise the stakes for the two relocating veterans, though both players loomed as potential cap casualties anyway. These restructures will prevent each team from prolonging a separation. Select players receive this treatment annually. The Giants did so with James Bradberry this year, with a May release leading to an Eagles landing.

The Eagles have exclusive negotiating rights with Quinn until next year’s legal tampering period, a two-day window preceding free agency, but it remains to be seen if they will make this partnership more than a rental agreement. While extensions, cap casualties and possible franchise tags will change the equation, next year’s edge rusher market will feature a mix of players seeking a second contract and various veterans.

It seems unlikely Bradley Chubb will be able to hit free agency. Chubb, a current trade candidate, would stand to be the prize next year. Marcus Davenport is also on track to hit the market after a fifth-year option season. Yannick Ngakoue profiles as another young-ish target, as he will only turn 28 in 2023. 49ers backup Charles Omenihu is also due for free agency. Quinn would join a few other vets — Jadeveon Clowney, Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram and Dante Fowler among them — in the older wing of the market.

Philadelphia has Josh Sweat and Haason Reddick in place as its long-term defensive end duo. Brandon Graham, 34, is signed through 2023. The longtime Eagle wants to continue his career past 2022. It will be interesting how the Eagles proceed with Graham and Quinn. For now, both 30-something vets are in place as rotational rushers for the 6-0 team. Nick Sirianni said Friday (via the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, on Twitter) that Quinn will likely make his Eagles debut in Week 8, likely in a limited capacity.

More On Bears, Robert Quinn Trade

October 26th, 2022 at 9:47pm CST by Ben Levine

The Eagles made a splash earlier today when they acquired defensive end Robert Quinn from the Bears, and it sounds like Chicago is picking up most of the player’s tab. According to Albert Breer of TheMMQB (on Twitter), the Bears are picking up $7.1MM of Quinn’s remaining 2022 salary. This means Philly will only be responsible for around $700K, which is the veteran’s minimum.

[RELATED: Bears To Trade DE Robert Quinn To Eagles]

It was speculated that the Bears were able to garner a fourth-round pick because they would be covering much of Quinn’s 2022 salary. The lineman is in the middle of a five-year, $70MM deal, but he has non-guaranteed base salaries of $14MM in 2023 and $13MM in 2024.

Quinn was rumored to be on the block for the rebuilding Bears, but considering the player’s salary, it presumably took a bit to find a trade partner. When the team was ultimately offered a fourth-round pick from the Eagles, GM Ryan Poles said he jumped at the opportunity.

“It just made too much sense in what we are trying to do here in building a championship team,” Poles said of his trade haul (via Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com). “I know the Eagles are really fortunate to have him. Part of the tough part about this job is having to make tough decisions. You also know that you are tweaking the fibers of your locker room.

“That’s really where you have to compartmentalize those two different areas,” Poles added (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin on Twitter). “You know, for the future I think it’s going to give us the ability to continue to grow and build our foundation that we’re trying to build. That is the exciting part.”

Poles provided more insight into trade negotiations, noting that assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who previously worked in the Eagles front office, “was instrumental” in getting the trade done, per Cronin. The general manager also wouldn’t commit to any more trades taking place, adding that “it’s hard to tell” if trades will materialize and “there’s not a ton going on right now.”

Bears To Trade DE Robert Quinn To Eagles

October 26th, 2022 at 2:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

After holding onto Robert Quinn during the initial months of their rebuild, the Bears have found a taker for his contract. The Eagles are acquiring Quinn, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL.com report (on Twitter).

Quinn, 32, is in the third season of his five-year, $70MM deal. The Eagles lost Derek Barnett early this season and have now replaced him with a three-time Pro Bowler. No stranger to in-season trades under GM Howie Roseman, the Eagles are adding a 12th-year veteran coming off an 18.5-sack season.

The Bears will pick up a fourth-round pick for Quinn, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This mid-round choice will change sides because of the Bears’ willingness to pick up much of Quinn’s $12.8MM salary. Chicago will be on the hook for most of Quinn’s remaining money (less than $9MM), Garafolo adds (on Twitter).

This move is similar to the Broncos’ decision to pay most of Von Miller‘s salary last year. That financial call led to second- and third-round compensation from the Rams. The Eagles will not be responsible for much of Quinn’s 2022 money; he has nonguaranteed salaries ($13.9MM, $12.9MM) in 2023 and ’24. If Quinn fares well during his first games in Philly, it would not surprise to see the Eagles restructure that contract. They have gone to this well numerous times in recent years.

This trade comes seven months after the Bears acquired second- and sixth-round choices for Khalil Mack, who went to the Chargers. Chicago shed several contracts from its veteran front seven this offseason, also moving on from Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Danny Trevathan. Quinn did not seem to fit, and the Bears began shopping him again earlier this month. Roquan Smith, who requested a trade this summer, will be the last one left from that talented front seven.

Philadelphia used trades to bolster its 2017 roster, bringing in Ronald Darby shortly before the season and Jay Ajayi during the year. D-linemen Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham remain from that Super Bowl-winning squad, and the Eagles have continued to add pieces to that front in the years since. Quinn will join a line also housing veterans Javon Hargrave, Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, along with first-rounder Jordan Davis.

Philly now rosters one of the deepest defensive end crews in recent memory. The 6-0 team will be able to throw a Reddick-Sweat-Graham-Quinn wave at teams. The Eagles entered the week ranked fourth in both total defense and points allowed. They are well off the Cowboys’ sack pace, however, sitting on 17. Dallas leads the NFL with 29.

The Bears probably could have gotten more for Quinn had they moved him this offseason, when he was coming off that 18.5-sack season. Quinn excelled as a Cowboys one-and-done in 2019, leading to the Bears contract, but registered only two sacks in 2020. Mack went down with a foot injury midway through last season, and Quinn proceeded to break Richard Dent‘s Bears single-season sack record. That certainly put him back on the map. Despite Quinn skipping minicamp and being linked to wanting a new team, he reported to training camp and said he did not want to be traded for a third time. With the Bears pivoting to a rebuild, however, the move became logical.

Quinn will head to Philly sitting on just one sack and three quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus has not been impressed by his 2022 work, ranking him near the bottom (124th) among edge defenders. The Eagles are obviously betting that is not indicative of what the former Rams first-rounder has left.

It will be interesting to see how the Eagles use Quinn, but he has thrived after trades in the past. Although Quinn’s Rams-to-Dolphins move (2018) did not lead to major production, he totaled 11 sacks with the Cowboys after being dealt during the 2019 offseason. This marks Quinn’s first in-season trade.

Bears Shopping DE Robert Quinn

October 19th, 2022 at 9:16am CST by Sam Robinson

While the Bears’ offseason moves pointed to Robert Quinn being a trade candidate, the team held onto the veteran pass rusher and said he was in its plans. But Quinn now may be in his final days with the franchise.

The Bears are indeed shopping the 12th-year defender, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post reports. Quinn is in the third season of a five-year, $70MM deal and is well off his 2021 production pace, but he stands to generate interest ahead of the Nov. 1 deadline. Chicago, however, will likely need to eat some salary to move him, La Canfora adds.

[RELATED: Assessing Quinn’s Trade Landscape]

Quinn, 32, is tied to a lofty $12.8MM base salary. Similar to the Broncos’ choice to pay most of Von Miller‘s remaining 2021 salary to increase their compensation haul from the Rams, the Bears would need to be willing to pay out much of Quinn’s remaining money to fetch a notable price. After Quinn broke the Bears’ single-season sack standard in 2021, registering 18.5, he has just one sack and two quarterback hits through six 2022 games.

Despite Quinn skipping Chicago’s minicamp — an unexcused absence, per the team — he said upon reporting to training camp he did not want to be traded for a third time. But Quinn may not have been entirely truthful there, per JLC, who notes the Ryan Pace-era addition has wanted out for months. The Bears moved on from several front-seven pieces this offseason — most notably Khalil Mack, whom they dealt to the Chargers for second- and sixth-round picks — and have started a rebuild.

Quinn’s career has included trades from Los Angeles to Miami (2018) and Miami to Dallas (2019). He never fetched more than a Day 3 pick previously, so a Miller-type price is somewhat difficult to envision. The Bears also may have erred by not moving on following Quinn’s monster 2021. But the team took on $24MM in Mack dead money to move him. That deal led to starting safety Jaquan Brisker at No. 48 overall, making it likely the Bears would eat a sizable chunk of Quinn money to obtain a better draft choice.

The former All-Pro re-established his value during the one-and-done Cowboys season — an 11.5-sack slate — en route to receiving $30MM guaranteed from the Bears. After a two-sack 2020, Quinn broke through for a struggling Bears team last season. Quinn (102 career sacks) has five double-digit sack seasons and three Pro Bowls on his resume.

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